Holidays

After a long winter’s hibernation of four to five months, come April, Europe’s Brown Bear population is waking up, and are at their most active and most visible as they forage for food after their self-imposed winter fast.

The recent episode of Dan Cruickshank's Adventures in Architecture, revealled the tragic tale of Palmyra, Syria’s most beautiful and magnificent historic site, often described as the ‘bride of the desert’. Although in ancient times Palmyra was a vital caravan city for travellers crossing the Syrian desert on the ‘Spice Route’, this great city became laid to waste by the Roman Empire.

Travelling to Western Europe will be at its most expensive this summer as the value of the Euro has increased by over 17% compared to last year. Experts have therefore suggested it may be worth looking beyond the usual haunts of France, Italy and Spain and outside the Eurozone if you want your holiday money to go further.

Jetlife Holidays is currently offering an amazing free kids* deal at the 4-star All Inclusive Sunscape Punta Cana Hotel in the Dominican Republic. The offer is valid on selected dates and only applies when 1st and 2nd child are sharing a room with two adults.

'The cruise market ten years ago’ is how experts are describing the current river cruising sector and is the reason why cruise specialist CRUISE.co.uk has launched its first ever foray into river cruising. Already the leading online cruise website in the UK, the company believes the river cruise sector is set for extensive growth, so it is launching content, news, deals, reviews and discussion forums specifically targeting river cruising.

Helpful Holidays have around 310 holiday homes throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset, which welcome man’s best friend to come and share some wonderful walks, wide open spaces and golden, sandy beaches.

Go Barging, the leading European hotel barge operator, has launched a honeymoon barge charter programme with a choice of three unique romantic destinations – Venice, the Loire Valley and the Scottish Highlands.

Always wanted to visit Luxor on the bank of the Nile? To soak up timeless history and culture plus the sunshine? Now is your chance with Discover Egypt offering a £240pp discount on seven night stay at the 5-star Maritim Jolie Ville for departures on 28 April, 05, 12 and 19 May.

Each year, the second week in May sees the medieval town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne go strawberry crazy with La fête de la fraise - the whole family can get a taste of the action with Eurocamp.

The newest and most exciting new development to reach the Maldives this year is not on land but on water. It is the award-winning Sultans way 007, the Azimut 103S superyacht which beat many desirable yachts to come away with the most coveted award in its category at the World Superyacht Awards in Venice on April 18.

Laos is arguably the jewel in Asia’s crown. Although a trip to this captivating country provides a perfect complement to its better-known neighbours – Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand – Laos has more than enough of its own to offer and enchant its visitors. In fact, Laos is often regarded as the most fascinating of Asia’s destinations and leaves those lucky enough to go with enduring memories of its warm people, mesmerising images and stunning scenery.

Popular children’s character Rory the Tiger, much loved by kids of all ages on Haven Holidays’ 35 family holiday parks around the UK, has taken on a new role as part of the Zoo Troop – a team of eco-super-heroes who help animals across the world.

Fly the flag and stay at home! Haven holidays give us ten good reasons to take a holiday in England this year.

Ramblers Worldwide Holidays are offering the opportunity to experience an 18-day, full-board adventure to two iconic cities – Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The first part of this holiday begins in Rio de Janeiro (the Marvellous City) and embraces visits to Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Copacabana.

So he might embarrass you occasionally with his corny jokes, dodgy dance moves and disastrous dress sense, but this Father's Day (Sunday 15 June) why not show Dad just how much you care by treating him to an Isle of Wight adventure break? He could enjoy sea kayaking, kitesurfing, paragliding and river canoeing and with activity prices starting at just £10, you can afford to come along and join in the fun.

A week’s peak season, family holiday in Ireland for less than £180 per person...that’s the special offer from Irish Ferries Holidays at the four-star Mountainview Holiday Homes in Glengariff, Co Cork.

Picking up a language is as much about getting out there and doing it as it is about learning verb tables. Learning by immersion is the proven way to master a language and it can also be fun! If you're looking for a fresh new way to learn French combined with a fantastic sporting holiday, then Action Outdoors has the answer.

responsibletravel.com, the leading online directory of specialist hand-picked holidays, has seen a staggering 113% increase in the number of enquiries from travellers looking for trips and accommodation options in England between 1 January and 21 April 2008, compared to the same period in 2007.

Britain is renowned for being a nation of animal lovers, with the live tour of the BBC’s natural history series, The Blue Planet, back by popular demand this month (April). For those wishing to extend this interest to their holiday and have an exotic wildlife encounter, greenbee.com - the company offering services selected by the John Lewis Partnership - has asked its expert travel consultants to recommend top destinations for animal adventures.

If you thought the London Eye was big, it’s a midget compared with the new Singapore Flyer – the world’s largest observation wheel at 165 metres tall! Views from the top extend across Singapore’s towering skyline into neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. Travellers can check out the panorama for themselves, during a 14-day holiday to Singapore and Bali with Trips Worldwide. The holiday departs Heathrow daily.

Visit Sicily with Peregrine Adventures and experience the charms of Mediteranean village life, whilst exploring the unique Alcantara Valley and brooding presence of Mount Etna. Later, visit prehistoric caves, Byzantine churches and Baroque buildings, all allowing for reflective sampling of the island’s most famous wine.

There’s no better place to get your daily dose of adrenaline than Whistler, BC in the summer and early fall. Adventures of all stripes abound from the exhilarating ZipTrek (‘fly’ over rivers, gorges and between mountains on ziplines), to heart-pumping downhill biking, mountain-high hikes and world-class golf courses (not to mention the ‘wild life’ to be found in Whistler’s vibrant night life!).

This year’s star-studded line-up has been announced for the annual Aruba Soul Beach Festival, which kicks off on the turquoise shores of the Dutch Caribbean island from May 21 – 26, 2008.

Travel on a City Cruise Break or Coastal Cruise Break to Bergen and explore what this remarkable city has to offer. DFDS Seaways offer a range of short break cruises sailing from Newcastle to Bergen in Norway – the big city with a small-town charm.

Advance bookings for summer breaks at Butlins’ three UK resorts have hit a new high. Reservations for the school holiday period are running at more than 15 per cent ahead of the same time last year, despite the gloomy economic outlook and the rotten Spring weather.

Sun and excitement seekers who spend a May Bank Holiday in Las Vegas will discover a city full of unexpected delights. A journey across the Atlantic is fantastic value right now and Brits will be thrilled with the shopping bargains they can bring home. Las Vegas is the home of serious shopping. A multitude of malls, retail parks and outlets all offer substantial savings on prices in the UK.

Discover the hidden wonders of Europe and make the most of the two May Bank Holidays with the UK’s leading specialist in quirky off the beaten track holidays.

This Bank Holiday weekend take the bull by the horns and head off on a mini adventure! Leading tour operator, Travelsphere, still has a few places remaining on some great ideas for the Bank Holiday weekend. See the Sahara and Souks of Tunisia, bask in the sights and scenery of Lake Garda, Croatia and Venice on a three centre trip, discover the undiscovered in Ukraine, travel by train across Russia, or simply relax on the stunning shores of the Seychelles.

Spring is an ideal time to welcome new beginnings and embrace fresh opportunities. So why not take advantage of the May Bank Holiday’s to see the world and form lifelong friendships with singles specialist Just You. Each holiday combines accommodation in carefully selected hotels, delicious evening meals with your travel companions and days full of culture, knowledge and easy adventure.